As a reporter and an editor, this past week has been one of the toughest on record.
Having to report on the death of Lake County Master Deputy Bradley Link, who was killed in a hail of bullets as he responded to a call in Eustis, is beyond difficult and not a story anyone in the media ever wants to tell.
Hearing the drama unfold from Lake County Sheriff Grinnell at a press conference was shocking to say the least. Like many, I can’t get the images out of my head.
Attending his Celebration of Life at Real Life Church in Clermont was both an honor and a privilege. I have never seen so many law enforcement personnel in one place at the same time, heads bowed in tribute to a brave young man.
There were police officers from all over the country including NYPD, Boston PD, Chicago PD, Dallas PD, Suffolk County NY, Colorado and many others. The mounted police rode solemnly by, while law enforcement helicopters flew above what must have been an incredible sea of uniformed color.
Many of them had brought their significant others. I saw men and women crying and clutching their partner’s hands tight, no doubt begging God to keep their deputies safe while thanking Him that they’re not attending their loved one’s funeral.
As Bradley’s tearful best friend Stephanie Earley took the podium first, desperately trying to keep her composure but failing, it was one of the sincerest monologues I’ve ever heard.
Even though I’ve never met any of them, it hurt to hear how close she and her husband were to Brad and his wife Brittany. She told how the two couples shared many happy hours together, whether it was partying or playing games.
It hurt because now those days have abruptly ended. No more good times as a foursome. No more memories to be made. No more laughing and joking. No more peanut and jelly sandwiches which Brittany said her husband loved.
When Sheriff Grinnell spoke in tribute to the young deputy, he revealed that concerned, Brittany called her husband on the night he died as it was getting late. One of his assailants took the phone from Brad’s person and said: “Who is this?” To which she answered: “I am Brad’s wife – who are you?”
The voice responded: “So you say that you are supposedly the dead man’s wife.” This will undoubtedly be the worst phone call of her life. I cannot imagine how she felt hearing those words and like many others in that auditorium, I cried and struggled to stop.
The proud and heartbroken wife she is, Brittany managed to pay her own tribute to her high school sweetheart. Composed, she talked about her ‘teddy bear’ who loved his life and the people in it with a passion and who adored his job as sheriff’s deputy almost as much. He was, in her words, an exceptional human being who was selfless with his time, his energy and his love.
While I was writing my article after the ceremony, trying hard to convey the beautiful farewell, I thought about this past week and one of the things that stood out for me was how the loss of one brave individual can bring a community together.
GoFundMes for Master Deputy Link and the two other officers who were injured in the ambush on August 2 have raised thousands. Business owners and leaders in South Lake have organized fund raisers to support the families. Social media was – and still is- awash with love for the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.
We could go on about the gun laws in this country and that debate is for another time, but the huge outpouring of grief and support for Master Deputy Link’s family, his friends and the Lake County Sheriff’s Office is nothing short of inspiring.
I say this level of love and care is inspiring because it shows that even in the darkest of days, we can come together as a society to lift each other, and undoubtedly, love will always win over evil.
That’s a bold statement, but one which I believe it to be true and it’s at times like this, when you’re at a loss to find the sense in the death of a young man who had every reason to live a long life, it’s a comfort to know that there are still good people in this world.
Sharon Keeble is the Editor of the Clermont Sun. If you have any thoughts on this subject, email the newspaper atskeeble@theclermontsun.com
